At first blush...

I liked the speech in that there was not a lot of big spending proposed. I appreciate the fact that it was still a war speech with a focus on the international efforts to advance freedom and fight tyranny. Bush's "America is addicted to oil" line will get a lot of play for two reasons. One, because it is the truth. Two, because as and oilman himself, this was his 'Nixon goes to China' moment.

He punted on Social Security, but moderates in his own party are to blame there.

He made clear demands of Hamas.

He gave a direct appeal to the people of Iran (Bush's folks understand the power of the Internet to get this message out.)

He provided an adamant defense to his terrorist surveillance program and called for the renewal of the Patriot Act.

A well delivered speech devoid of pageantry and pomp. In part as an acknowledgement of the partisan divide in Congress as much as a clear understanding of the daunting task at hand.

Cindy missed a pretty good speech.

Here is the prepared text of the President's State of the Union Address.

The Democrats were clearly expected a more partisan speech. The best they could counter with was a 'We were expecting more, there was nothing new here.'